On Tuesday, 21st January 2025, Oluwakemi Akala, Onyekachi Aguguo, and Tsolaye Eburajolo were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on two counts of conspiracy and importing 28 kilograms of cannabis indica.
The alleged offence occurred on or around 22nd October 2024, at a warehouse in the Okota area of Lagos. The prosecution, led by Mr Kunle Adebajo, alleged that the defendants, along with a fourth suspect named Austin A.K.A. Elohor Eguagie who remains at large, conspired to import the illicit drug concealed within a 2010 Lexus RX350.
Adebajo argued that the defendants’ actions contravened Section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following this, the prosecution requested a trial date and the remand of the defendants in prison custody.
While the prosecution sought remand, defence counsel for each defendant presented bail applications. Mr S. Sani, representing Oluwakemi Akala, requested time to file his application. Meanwhile, Mr Alli Aba and Justice Ojienoh, representing Aguguo and Eburajolo respectively, had already filed and served their applications.
After considering the applications, Justice Ayokunle Faji granted bail to each defendant in the sum of N8 million with two sureties in like sum.
The court imposed specific conditions on the sureties, including:
- One surety must be a blood relative residing within the court’s jurisdiction.
- Sureties must provide evidence of residence, identification, BVN, phone number, utility bills, and proof of means of livelihood.
- One surety must submit a bank statement demonstrating the ability to pay the bail sum.
- Sureties must also provide a three-year tax clearance certificate.
The defendants were further ordered to submit their travel documents, BVN, and National Identity Card numbers to the court. They are prohibited from travelling outside the country without prior court permission.
The Deputy Registrar was instructed to verify the submitted documents within three days.
Pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions, the defendants were remanded to the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
